- Salary statistics
- Instructional driver salary
Instructional driver salary
Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.
42 100 - 46 700 SEK / month
Women earn 97% of what men do.
Transport
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Salary progression Instructional driver
What does an instructor driver do? – Tasks and work environment
An instructor driver primarily works to supervise and train future locomotive drivers or colleagues within the railway sector. Tasks include practical instruction driving, safety training, theoretical teaching, and assessment of driving ability and safety routines. Instructor drivers are responsible for ensuring new drivers follow current rules and safety regulations while acting as mentors and role models during training. The work environment is varied and can include early mornings, late evenings, and work at different geographic locations, often onboard trains or in training facilities. The role requires precision, pedagogical skill, and the ability to handle stressful situations.
Salary development over time
The salary for instructor drivers has shown steady growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 40,800 SEK per month. In 2023, it increased to 43 100 SEK, corresponding to an increase of about 2.7%. In 2024, the average salary continued to rise to 45 100 SEK, a further increase of 2.9% from the previous year. The total salary increase during this period amounts to nearly 6%. Factors driving this development include ongoing demand for qualified instructor drivers, increased safety requirements, and gradual skill enhancement within the profession. The job market for instructor drivers is also affected by retirements and a growing need for trained drivers in the transportation sector.
Instructor driver salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 45 100 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 40,300 SEK/month (woman, three-year high school education)
- Highest salary: 45,100 SEK/month (man, regional sector, up to 2-year high school education)
- Hourly wage: 259 SEK
- Men: 45 300 SEK/month
- Women: 44 100 SEK/month
- Women's salary as percentage of men's: 97%
Education and qualifications
To work as an instructor driver, a background as a locomotive driver and several years of documented experience in the profession are usually required. Further training to become an instructor driver is often offered internally by the employer or through industry-specific courses. Formal requirements may vary between employers, but pedagogical ability and good knowledge of safety and train traffic are central. Many employers also require approved results from specific training and certifications related to traffic safety and educational methodology.
- Locomotive driver training: High school level, approximately 1 year
- Further training: Internal courses and certifications for instructor drivers
- Experience requirement: Several years as a locomotive driver
- Pedagogical training: Often meritorious but not always a formal requirement
- Prerequisites: Approved locomotive driver license and safety training
Instructor drivers often hold a unique position as both mentors and role models within train operations. Many describe that the greatest reward is seeing new drivers develop and grow into their professional roles, while also keeping their own knowledge current and contributing to increased safety on the country's railways.
Common benefits and compensations
Instructor drivers are generally offered collective agreement benefits such as occupational pension, wellness contributions, and insurances. Many employers also provide overtime compensation for work during inconvenient hours, extra vacation days, and opportunities for further training and development. Travel and per diems may be provided when working at different locations.
Competition and challenges
Competition for positions as an instructor driver is moderate, but the availability of qualified candidates is limited because the role requires both experience and specific pedagogical skills. Challenges in the profession include high safety standards, constant updates to regulations, and the ability to adapt teaching to drivers' different backgrounds and learning styles. The work environment can be pressured during staff shortages or changes in traffic volume. It is also important to manage the mental strain associated with the responsibility for others' training and safety.
Tips for those who want to become an instructor driver
To succeed as an instructor driver, it is good to combine a strong sense of responsibility with a genuine interest in education and safety. Pedagogical ability helps when instructions need to be adapted to different individuals, and patience is crucial when mentoring new drivers with varying experience. Being communicative and clear helps build trust and ensure that all instructions are understood correctly. Flexibility is also important since working days can vary in both time and location. Finally, being solution-oriented and able to handle unexpected situations quickly is a significant advantage, which is often needed in the dynamic railway environment.
Key facts about instructor drivers
- Education level: Locomotive driver training at high school level + further training
- Work environment: Varying, both onboard trains and in training facilities
- Typical employment: Permanent, often full-time
- Demand: 412 job openings within the profession as of the latest measurement
- Gender distribution: Women earn 97% of what men do
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years as an instructor driver, opportunities open to advance to roles such as chief instructor, training manager, or other leadership positions within train operators and training organizations. Some choose to specialize in safety, regulation development, or digital training. The outlook for instructor drivers is considered stable, although the Swedish Public Employment Service does not provide a separate forecast for the profession due to limited data. However, continued high demand for locomotive drivers and trainers within the railway sector suggests good career opportunities in the coming years. The number of job vacancies within the profession, with 412 advertised positions, indicates a relatively strong labor market.
Frequently asked questions about instructor drivers
- What does an instructor driver earn?
- An instructor driver has an average salary of 45 100 SEK per month. Women earn 44 100 SEK and men 45 300 SEK. - How to become an instructor driver?
- First, locomotive driver training and several years of experience as a locomotive driver are required, followed by further training and certification as an instructor driver. - What is the highest salary for an instructor driver?
- The highest salary is 45,100 SEK per month and belongs to a man in the regional sector. - What is the lowest salary for an instructor driver?
- The lowest salary is 40,300 SEK per month and belongs to a woman with a three-year high school education. - Are there regional salary differences?
- Salary variations can occur between different regions and sectors, but the majority follow national collective agreements. - What is the job market like?
- There are approximately 412 job openings within the profession, indicating strong demand. - What personal qualities are important?
- Responsibility, pedagogical skills, patience, and good communication skills are central qualities for the profession.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 35100 kr | 38700 kr | |
| 25-34 | 99% | 39600 kr | 43200 kr |
| 35-44 | 98% | 42000 kr | 45700 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 42200 kr | 46100 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 42700 kr | 46800 kr |
| 65-68 | 44500 kr | 48500 kr | |
| Snitt | 97% | 41200 kr | 45100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 35100 kr | 38700 kr | |
| 25-34 | 99% | 39600 kr | 43200 kr |
| 35-44 | 98% | 42000 kr | 45700 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 42200 kr | 46100 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 42700 kr | 46800 kr |
| 65-68 | 44500 kr | 48500 kr | |
| Snitt | 97% | 41200 kr | 45100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 35100 kr | 38700 kr | |
| 25-34 | 99% | 39600 kr | 43200 kr |
| 35-44 | 98% | 42000 kr | 45700 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 42200 kr | 46100 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 42700 kr | 46800 kr |
| 65-68 | 44500 kr | 48500 kr | |
| Snitt | 97% | 41200 kr | 45100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 35200 kr | 38700 kr | |
| 25-34 | 99% | 39600 kr | 43300 kr |
| 35-44 | 98% | 42100 kr | 45900 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 42300 kr | 46300 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 42700 kr | 46900 kr |
| 65-68 | 44700 kr | 48600 kr | |
| Snitt | 97% | 41400 kr | 45300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 35200 kr | 38700 kr | |
| 25-34 | 99% | 39600 kr | 43300 kr |
| 35-44 | 98% | 42100 kr | 45900 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 42300 kr | 46300 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 42700 kr | 46900 kr |
| 65-68 | 44700 kr | 48600 kr | |
| Snitt | 97% | 41400 kr | 45300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 35200 kr | 38700 kr | |
| 25-34 | 99% | 39600 kr | 43300 kr |
| 35-44 | 98% | 42100 kr | 45900 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 42300 kr | 46300 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 42700 kr | 46900 kr |
| 65-68 | 44700 kr | 48600 kr | |
| Snitt | 97% | 41400 kr | 45300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 99% | 39500 kr | 43000 kr |
| 35-44 | 98% | 41100 kr | 44900 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 41800 kr | 45400 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 42400 kr | 46100 kr |
| Snitt | 97% | 40400 kr | 44100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 99% | 39500 kr | 43000 kr |
| 35-44 | 98% | 41100 kr | 44900 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 41800 kr | 45400 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 42400 kr | 46100 kr |
| Snitt | 97% | 40400 kr | 44100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 99% | 39500 kr | 43000 kr |
| 35-44 | 98% | 41100 kr | 44900 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 41800 kr | 45400 kr |
| 55-64 | 98% | 42400 kr | 46100 kr |
| Snitt | 97% | 40400 kr | 44100 kr |
About the data
All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.
All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.
Profession Instructional driver has the SSYK code 8311, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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